We, as Chairs of the science and related departments at the
University of New Mexico, strongly recommend that the Rio Rancho
School District take timely action to rescind "Science Education
Policy 401", which was adopted on Monday, 22 August, 2005, by the Rio
Rancho Board of Education.

Science Education Policy 401 portrays a false impression of
science, and does not adhere to New Mexico's current Science Content
Standards, Benchmarks, and Performance Standards. The policy is a
means to facilitate the introduction of completely non-scientific
ideas like "intelligent design" and unscientific "evidence against
evolution" into public school science classrooms, and we reject such
attempts. The policy, written by non-scientists who have admitted the
aforementioned, changes the intent of State Content Standards and, in
effect, changes the definition of science itself in the process.

The effect of the policy is to introduce to the classroom the
non-scientific concept of "intelligent design." The basis of this
concept lies in the notion that the complexity of the natural world,
including all life forms and their associated processes, is such that
it may only be explained by the existence of a creator or designer of
the universe, which is a specific religious notion not supported by
scientific data. Science is a unique way of knowing about the natural
world, and has as its foundation methodological naturalism. Natural
phenomena can be explained without reference to supernatural beings
or events, and thus notions that are inconsistent with the scientific
method have absolutely no place in the science classroom.

In its inaccurate representation of science, and allowance for
other non-scientific concepts to be introduced into the science
classroom, the Rio Rancho School District Science Education Policy
401 is detrimental to the entire State of New Mexico. It should be
abolished.

Disclaimer: ALL faculty members in the departments represented do
not necessarily support our views.